Title: The Lingering Legacy of Toxic Waste: The Untold Story of a School Built on a Former Dump
Introduction:
Decades ago, the city of Gainesville, Florida, made a fateful decision to place a landfill in the backyard of Joseph Williams Elementary School, located in a predominantly Black neighborhood. This ill-conceived move has had far-reaching consequences, as the site continues to pose health risks to students even after its closure. The Intercept’s investigation reveals a disturbing pattern of neglect and environmental racism that has plagued this community for years.
The Dumping Ground:
In the late 1950s, Gainesville chose an unlikely location for its landfill: the backyard of Joseph Williams Elementary School. The consequences were dire. The schoolyard became a breeding ground for contamination, with dead animals and decomposing garbage creating a horrific stench. Despite violating health statutes, the local government turned a blind eye to the issue, dismissing it as a “necessary evil.”
The Lingering Health Risks:
Although no comprehensive investigation has been conducted to establish a direct link between the contaminants and adverse health impacts, soil and air testing consistently reveal evidence of environmental toxins at the school. Levels of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene have been found to be up to 218 times higher than what is considered safe for residential exposure. Furthermore, East Gainesville has been identified as an asthma hot spot, exacerbating concerns about the impact of soil toxins on students’ health.
A Pattern of Neglect:
The Intercept’s investigation, based on public documents, government emails, and interviews with residents, reveals that city, county, and state officials have long been aware of the contaminants at the school but have taken little action to address the problem. While some soil removal has occurred in recent years, the primary focus has been on abandoned oil tanks rather than the former landfill. Calls for a comprehensive cleanup and assessment of the site’s impact on health have largely been ignored.
Environmental Racism:
The placement of the landfill in a predominantly Black neighborhood is not an isolated incident. The Intercept’s analysis shows that dozens of schools across 35 states are located near or on hazardous waste sites, with lower-income communities of color being disproportionately affected. The lack of federal regulations to prevent the construction of schools near landfills perpetuates this enduring crisis of environmental racism.
The Sinking Buildings:
The prediction that buildings would sink due to the landfill’s presence proved true. In 1989, a music and art suite constructed at Williams Elementary began to crumble as the ground beneath it gave way. The discovery of contaminated soil and underground storage tanks further complicated the situation. Despite ranking high on the state’s list of potential threats, the cost of excavation prevented meaningful action from being taken.
Asthma Hot Spot:
Former students of Williams Elementary recall high rates of asthma among their classmates, which they initially considered normal. Recent research has identified East Gainesville as a pediatric asthma hot spot, with hospitalization rates significantly higher for Black residents compared to white residents. The influence of past racist housing laws and proximity to pollution contribute to this alarming trend.
Community Outrage and Stalled Reconstruction:
Community members have expressed their outrage over the school’s history and its impact on their health. Calls for the removal of contaminated soil and the demolition of the school have been met with resistance from local officials. The interim superintendent recognized the need for a complete rebuild but faced budget constraints and opposition from the school board. Reconstruction plans have been delayed, leaving Williams Elementary in a state of limbo.
More Testing, More Toxins:
Soil and air testing have become routine at Williams Elementary, revealing alarming levels of contaminants such as benzene and chloroform. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has offered assistance with remediation, but progress has been slow. The community continues to fight against the expansion of another landfill nearby, highlighting the ongoing struggle against environmental injustice.
Conclusion:
The story of Joseph Williams Elementary School serves as a stark reminder of the lasting consequences of environmental neglect and racism. The failure to address the contamination at the school reflects a broader pattern of devaluing communities of color and relegating them to undesirable spaces. It is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background or race, by implementing stricter regulations and comprehensive clean-up efforts. Only then can we begin to rectify the injustices inflicted upon communities like East Gainesville.
